Department for Transport

Aviation: Storms

Lord Birt: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the safety of passenger flights landing in the UK during Storm Eunice.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Aircraft and airlines have operational limitations that stipulate maximum winds (including crosswind components and associated gusts) that are acceptable. Crew are trained for approaches in such adverse weather conditions and will abort any landing where they believe continuing the approach will be unsafe or if the wind limits are exceeded. The Civil Aviation Authority’s ongoing review of standards suggests that the limitations and training, together with pilot performance, meant that safety barriers were maintained during storm Eunice.